Pardon my mess, or lack thereof. I got a little carried away last night trying to tool around with my wordpress theme and -BAM- I accidentally deleted all of my widgets and plug-ins.
Oops.
I feel neked as a jaybird.
On the upside, I’d been meaning to spend some time considering what I want to do with this place based on a 12 week blog shape up plan from my new fave online mag, Mom Bloggers Club.
For the last 6 months, I was considering starting a new personal blog and keeping gabbingwithgrace.com focused only on culture, race & faith issues. Partly, because my readership is all over the map in terms of faith, gender & age but also because I’ve felt a bit schizophrenic.
I found myself asking: what in the world is my blog about? Is it a “mommy blog,” or something else? I don’t know, y’all don’t know and the truth is my stats are stagnant. I want to grow.
I need a revamp.
I spent some time last night journaling through the blog shape up questions and determined to sit tight and keep my blog here but with a tighter focus.
I’m going the way of the Mommy blogger, y’all.
No more, “life. faith. culture. relationships.”
I hope you’ll stay around! I redid my \”ABOUT\” page to give you a feel for where I’m headed.
Also, I used my new Picnik program to make myself a new banner, blog name & new tagline.
(I REFUSE to pay any one else obnoxious gobs of money to do something I can teach myself to do in about 60 hours time! =)
Want to see it?
(Because I am so doggone proud of myself it’s ridiculous)
Isn’t it beautiful? This is about the 12th one I’ve made in the last 4 weeks. It’s been super fun to do. To think about. To consider who I am and how to best represent myself.
AND… I like this one too…
AND…here’s my new button. Eventually, I’ll have it for you to grab! =)
My husband took one look at the istock photo & said, “do you really want people to think of you like that?”
If you mean fashionable, confident, perky -and I mean personality not boobs, people- fun & smiley all the while juggling a life in ministry a toddler & a baby? Then, um, yeah.”
His response? “Well, look at her butt.”
Um, okay. I’m still not seeing the problem here.
Dave: “Well, okay if it’s okay with you.”
Yep.
Dave: “All right. It’s just very hippy”
Me: ?!?!
World out there, I’m okay with you thinking I’m hippy.
ANYWAY, so my new direction is to focus on my life in ministry & home life. I AM KEEPING MY www.gabbingwithgrace.com URL, so if you haven’t yet, please subscribe via Google feedburner.
My new categories are 7: (as opposed to the 43 I currently have)! =)
1. Ministry / MDiv-Ordination
2. Parenting / Family
3. African-American Issues
4. Hair & Fashion
5. Human Advocacy
6. Personal Growth & Health.
And of course, all of these 7 categories will be filtered through the lens and feel of a personal blog.
It’s what I enjoy writing most at this stage of life, and consequently it’s what you guys love reading the most and commenting on the most.
So, in the spirit of the New Year I hope to get to work on a new wordpress theme, my new banner of course & a very focused, streamlined blog.
Lastly, I’ve got a TON of giveaways lined up. (Seriously, like 10) so COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT. I’ll be picking some random winners. =)
I would LOVE to know what you think about the changes? Will you stick around as a reader? What posts do you really enjoy or likewise are annoyed with? Any feedback is welcome! Just be nice about it, I’m so sensitive, y’all! =)
Signing out with my new signature, =)
Try simplifying the design a bit… I found when I did that with my major blog it increased ad revenue, page views, comments and the readers seem to like the simple look.
Zach, good idea to simplify. I tend to read blogs with a more simple layout as well.
Hey, sounds good to to me! I just did the same thing…blog revamp, and it has really been like I have a new lease on life! I’m still learning my way around bloggy land, and I’m sure I have a long way to go, but I’m enjoying the journey. I don’t think there are ever any hard and fast “rules”…you just gotta do what’s in your heart! I like “minister mama” and your new avatar (is that what it’s called?) I have a post scheduled tomorrow about my own blogging journey, and that’s really what it is…a journey. I will look forward to your posts regardless!
Thanks, Kimberly! It’s been awesome to get to know you through the bloggy world! =)
Oooh, I’m excited! I think it sounds awesome Grace. I’ve been thinking of shutting my blog down entirely and re-vamping when I’m inspired and ready to really do it, if ever. This is inspiring me to…well…quit my blog. Which sounds weird but it’s a compliment, I promise. I’m just impressed with your focus and vision for what you want your blog to be about. And I like the avatar, hips ‘n all
Kate, oh man…that sucks. I don’t want you to shut it down! Even if you just update every now and then, it’s great to catch up with you & your fam that way….although facebook will be around till we die, eh? Anyway, thanks for the uh, “compliment.” lol. =)
I love it! And I would read your blog regardless of the 7 vs 47 topics:)
Looks awesome. After reading your blog for a big, I get where you are going with the “minister mama” , my only thing is that the avatar is very fun looking but the title is not so much. I dont know, something about the image does not match the title or the other way around, just my opinion. But I love reading about faith, living in faith, walking in faith, that’s pretty much my life, so bring it on!
I’m in! I love your new ideas and excited to see where it takes you.
I’m staying!! I love your blogs, you keep it so honest!! I didn’t mind the several different topics…. But I’m here to read whatever you blog about!!
You know I love reading your thoughts on a variety of topics. I like the new name. Please keep the Amazon link. I like to support you by ordering through your blog.
Thank you, Sara for your faithful Amazon support! =)
Very well done! I like the colors you chose and “from sippees to sermons”. Your siggy is great too!
Thanks, Elaine!
I’m going to keep reading! I am always encouraged by what you write about and how you write it. I’m in for the long-haul.
Thanks, Amy!
I absolutely LOVE it! You did a great job, on the header. I hear you, on simplifying. I decided to combine my two blogs, and just keep the http://www.themomwithmoxie.com url active. I also just switched back to a more simple layout, instead of a magazine format. (BTW, did you get my response, to you questions on FB?)
Anyway, I can’t wait to see the final product!
I like the new banner. I did a major overhaul of my own blog in May. I even deleted all of my previous posts going back to 2005. It felt good. Best of luck to you and your new focus.
Wayne, why did you delete? Did you have them saved? I can’t believe you deleted! Why? Okay, clearly I am in shock. LMK!!! =) (btw, it was so nice to see you the other day & I am so sorry it didn’t work out for us to hang out) .
Grace – I LOVE your new banner and I LOVE the hips – VERy realistic after having babies, huh?
I’m just wondering what #6 is???? 
Honestly, i don’t follow too many blogs – just don’t have time. But when i do, i LOVE comign and reading your’s and catch up on a bunch of them all at once, so I rarely comment b/c I’m behind. BUT, the topic of being a MOM in MINISTRY is an awesome topic, especially connected with race, social justice, etc. I just love how you tell it like it is. Love you g/f! (currently focused on my ministry of BEING a mom)
oops, I sure did skip #6, didn’t I? Thx! I’ll fix it!
I love the new banner! Very cute and creative! I’m excited about the new direction and will definitely be following….and commenting.
Targetshopper, I appreciate your renewed commitment. lol. (I put enough pressure on ya, eh?) =)